Neutron bomb: destroy the enemy, not his camp
Development of the neutron warhead has been going on for almost 20 years. The U.S. Army has been using neutron warheads since November 1965 when the Sprint missile, part of the Safeguard antiballistic missile system, was first fired. The neutron warhead now being developed is much smaller than Sprint's and has a much different role. In tactical deployment it is to be carried by the Lance missile--half the size of Sprint and essentially a long-range artillery projectile to be launched ballistically by the Army's 8-inch howitzer and 155-mm gun. Strategically, the latest news is that the neutron bomb will be carried by the cruise missile--a small, pilotless winged airplane using a fan-jet engine to roam up to 1800 miles into enemy heartland. The warhead is a defensive weapon that will not destroy adjacent civilians or city buildings during annihilation of an attacking force by intense radiation. In addition, it does not stir up as much radioactive dust as former atomic weapons. (MCW)
- OSTI ID:
- 7291309
- Journal Information:
- Pop. Mech.; (United States), Journal Name: Pop. Mech.; (United States) Vol. 148:5; ISSN POPMA
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
450202* -- Explosions & Explosives-- Nuclear-- Weaponry-- (-1989)
AIRCRAFT
BARYONS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
DEATH
DOCUMENT TYPES
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
ENERGY
EQUIPMENT
FERMIONS
HADRONS
HEAT
LOCAL RADIATION EFFECTS
NATIONAL DEFENSE
NEUTRONS
NORTH AMERICA
NUCLEAR WEAPONS
NUCLEONS
PERFORMANCE
PERSONNEL
RADIATION EFFECTS
REVIEWS
USA
WEAPONS